UB study examines perceptions of e-cigarettes

Daily users of e-cigarettes view them as almost as satisfying or even more satisfying, and less harmful, than cigarettes, according to a small study from the University at Buffalo.

The study of 105 U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard soldiers and their partners found that the study participants who vape daily reported e-cigarettes as “at least as satisfying” as cigarettes, and that 58 percent said vaping was “much more” satisfying.

Researchers also reported that the perception of danger from e-cigarettes decreased as frequency of use increased.

The research, which was funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse, appears online in the journal Preventive Medicine Reports.

“The results argue that satisfaction, perceived harm or danger and product type seem to all work together to promote use or avoidance,” Lynn Kozlowski, lead author and a professor of community health and health behavior, said in a statement.

“The mistaken belief that e-cigarettes are more harmful than cigarettes can influence some smokers to not use e-cigs. If the type of product they use is less satisfying, this also can influence likelihood of use,” Kozlowski said.